Hi, I’m Steve Hickman.
I am the former Executive Director of the non-profit Center for Mindful Self-Compassion, a Certified Mindful Self-Compassion teacher and trainer, and a Clinical Psychologist by training. I am also a Retired Associate Clinical Professor in the University of California at San Diego School of Medicine, as well as the Founding Director of the UC San Diego Center for Mindfulness. My colleague Michelle Becker and I co-developed the Mindful Self-Compassion Teacher Training program (both in-person and live online versions) and have directly participated in the training of over 1000 MSC teachers around the world. I have had the privilege of teaching the MSC program many times around the globe and I am also a Certified teacher and trainer of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR). I live in Newport, Oregon, am married and have three young adult children and two beloved Corgis, affording me ample opportunity to practice what I teach!
My Approach
Writing Self-Compassion for Dummies was a sheer delight, even though it was a lot of work. I was free to write the way I like to teach: with lightness, humor and a profound respect for the innate human resources that each person possesses within them, whether they know it or not.
My Dream
Mindfulness and compassion have gotten a lot of attention in recent years and more than their fair share of hype and hyperbole. This will fade with time, but the stuff and substance of these simple but powerful practices will sustain when they are taught well and practiced diligently.
My Hope for You
My deepest wish is that anyone I reach with my work will not just take my word for it, but will truly test out the practice for yourself and see what can come from treating yourself with kindness and equanimity. The transformative potential of this practice is immense, but you have to do it!